HIS 320 Timeline

By jlarimore
  • Period: 20,000 BCE to 8000 BCE

    Mirgration

    The migration of people from place to place was a good way to spread language, culture - and disease. People migrated from many places into the Americans, and other countries. There they formed their own societies with differences in traditions and even language.
  • 4000 BCE

    Maize is Introduced

    Around this time maize is domesticated in central Mexico. The cultivation of maize spread far and wide. From Mexico in the south, maize production spread upward into the United States and by 1000 C.E. was grown in Canada. This spread of maize cultivation is likely the result of trade between peoples.
  • 2600 BCE

    Mayan Agriculture

    The regions the Mayan's once occupied is now known for its' slash-and-burn agriculture. However, it is likely that the original Mayans were able to support their populations of 30,000 to 80,000 on that alone. Evidence of irrigation, swamp drainage, and artificially constructed fields are a better fit for supporting such a large population.
  • 2000 BCE

    Pottery is Introduced

    Innovations such as pottery increased as the population grew due to the use of more plant foods to feed civilizations.
  • 900 BCE

    Rome

    Rome started as a small village which greatly benefited from its' location near the Tiber River and Mediterranean coast. By the second century Rome was rapidly expanding due to the slave-operated farms.
  • Period: 801 BCE to 900 BCE

    Ghana

    By the ninth century B.C.E., Ghana took advantage of its' location by becoming the intermediary between the southern gold producing zone and the northern market areas. This established caravan routes across the Sahara desert.
  • 600 BCE

    Trade Due to Mirgration

    The migration in Africa led to long-distance trade of pottery, metals, canoes, and crafts. Since some of these items were only developed in some regions, trade was an important way of maintaining stock.
  • Period: 453 BCE to 221 BCE

    Legalism is Popular in China

    Legalists believed China's rulers should have absolute power due to the naturally evil state of human beings. An authoritarian rule was the only way to improve humans: through strong laws and education. This idea was introduced by Shang Yang and was influential in China.
  • 333 BCE

    Alexandria

    Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great and was a main port in international trade. It was the capital of Egypt for nearly a millennium.
  • Period: 300 BCE to 100 BCE

    Hellenism Prompts Wide Exchange

    Relationships with India and the African kingdom of Kush expanded trade and the use of war elephants. This trade allowed for the spread of Greek-derived culture to the Middle East, North Africa and southeastern Europe.
  • Period: 300 BCE to 300

    Pattern of Trade

    This trade pattern extended from Rome and the Mediterranean Sea to China and Japan. These trade routes were established between both sea routes and land exchanged connected by chains of trading centers. Many ports specialized in what and who they traded with. This great trading network included most of what was known to people in the last centuries B.C.E.
  • Period: 300 BCE to 200 BCE

    Trade Routes Expand Across Africa

    Because of the introduction of horses to Africa due to the invasion of Egypt - trade routes extended across the desert plain of Africa. The horse would come to be widely adopted in African grasslands.
  • 254 BCE

    Ashoka

    Under Ashoka and his successors, Buddhism surged across regions. He desired to spread the Buddhist faith beyond India. Ashoka sent missions to the south and Himalayan kingdoms. From there the faith was carried to southeast Asia then the rest of east Asia.
  • 221 BCE

    Qin Dynasty Constructed Northern Wall

    Shi Huangdi is given credit for constructing the the Northern Wall. The Qin also built roads and canals that would later allow dynasties to hold their territory together. These roads and canals improved communication and was the foundation for later trade.
  • Period: 206 BCE to 23 BCE

    China's First attempts at Maritime Trade

    While during this time most trade was done on land through the Silk Roads, there is evidence that China was also exploring with maritime trade. They traded with Iran and an area referred to as the "South Seas".
  • Period: 200 BCE to 1 BCE

    Slave Trade

    Trading was not just goods; it was also slaves. Between the second and first centuries B.C.E. scholars believe roughly 2 million people were passed through Italy because of slavery.
  • 101 BCE

    Introduction of Brush Pen and Paper/Ship Rudders

    At the end of the second century, pen and paper were introduced. These Chinese inventions were used in administrative work as well as literature and artistic production. Paper was used to record information like trade and reports.
    Ship rudders and compasses were also introduced during the end of the second century. They were used to guide ships which is more evidence that the Chinese traded not just on land, but across bodies of water.
  • Period: 150 to 50

    Slavery in Rome

    Social inequality was wide-spread in Rome Slave revolts were uncommon but they did happen which required a military presence. Being a slave in Rome may not have been the worst way to live. Some people desired to be slaves to get into richer household. Slaves could buy or gain their freedom. This slave trade kept the Roman economy alive and thriving. Slaves tended the fields; taking the work from free farmers.
  • 206

    Long-distance Trade

    During the Han Dynasty long distance trade networks opened. These networks were controlled by mercantile firms who transported and sold bulk items such as grain, horses and luxury items. These merchant families also invested in mining and sheep raising as well as lending money. The 'Silk Road' flourished during this time, allowing trade between China and India.
  • Period: 320 to 550

    Trade in Gupta Period

    From 320 to 550 C.E., was the Gupta era. During this time long-distance trade with China and Rome declined. However, trade shifted to cities on the east and west coasts along with southern seaports. Networks were maintained with southeast Asia, which was influenced by Indian cultural exports.
  • 333

    Conquer of Persian Empire

    Alexander the Great conquered many areas included the Persian Empire. This control of more and more regions allowed Greece to intermingle with other nationalities. Alexander the Great encouraged intermarriage with Persian and other local women - spreading languages and cultures.
  • 476

    World Religions

    With the decline of Rome, in 476 C.E. new religions were encouraged to societies around the Mediterranean. Christianity and Buddhism began to spread across political and culture borders; thus creating world religions.